James Tavernier has told Josh Windass to let his feet do all the talking because he has the potential to become a big noise in British football.

The Rangers midfielder was unrepentant yesterday after telling his own support to haud their wheesht following his opening goal against Partick Thistle at Firhill.

It was the former Accrington midfielder’s 10th strike of the season and he chose to celebrate by holding his index finger to his lips in front of the travelling support.

It was a none too subtle dig at the Follow Follow brigade, who have become split down the middle about the merits of a player who cost the club just £60,000 from English lower-league football 18 months ago.

Josh Windass scores to make it 1-0

Tavernier has urged his teammate to find consistency

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The 24-year-old has been a pivotal performer this season, with the 2-0 win at Firhill taking Rangers above Old Firm rivals Celtic as best performers on the road in the Premiership, albeit on goals scored.

They have lost just twice in 13 games away from Ibrox, which was once a fortress but has now witnessed such crumbling form they have won only six times on their own turf.

Windass got it in the neck for his role in the penalty winner for Hibs on Edmiston Drive last weekend but the stats are piling up in his favour, a fact he was quick to retweet following the controversy of his celebration against the Jags.

He has now scored seven goals in the league so far and chipped in with six assists and is in line to make it double digits in both areas before the end of the season.

Those are figures no player in the Premiership managed to achieve last season, even performers such as Moussa Dembele and Scott Sinclair on route to an invincible Treble with Celtic.

Windass scored a stunning opener before playing a role in Tavernier’s second-half strike, his sixth of the season, as Rangers moved within three points of Aberdeen in second spot.

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Gers boss Graeme Murty has already tipped Windass for big things and Tavernier said: “Josh has goals in him. He’s a quick player, good with his feet and possesses really good ability.

“He’s a decent lad, good to have in our team and I’m very happy with him.

“He’s definitely got it in him to go even further in football. It’s just about consistency for Josh. You’ll see his performances shine out and now he’s adding goals to his game.

“It was a good match for him against Thistle and hopefully he can take that form on to the next one.”

Murty revealed Windass spent 40 minutes in his office at Murray Park earlier this week raking over the coals of his recent performances.

The Light Blues gaffer acknowledges there is much to admire in Windass, particularly going forward, but it’s his defensive indiscipline off the ball and his scatty decision-making in possession that drives fans to distraction.

Murty has called on him to work on that side of his game if he is to fulfil an ambition of reaching the very top of his profession in the Premier League.

Windass certainly has the character. He refused to bow down after making his gesture, even going so far as posting a picture of his “ssshing” gesture on his Instagram account.

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Tavernier also heaped praise on Portuguese wideman Daniel Candeias, whose assist for the Windass opener was his seventh of the season.

He is the most creative performer in the Premiership so far, one ahead of Tavernier himself and Windass, with Richard Tait of Motherwell and Kieran Tierney at Celtic also chipping in with six assists, one more than Chris Cadden, Dembele and Graeme Shinnie.

Tavernier said: “I’ve got nothing but praise for Daniel. From the moment he came in he has worked hard for the team and I can’t speak highly enough about him.

“He now has the highest assist numbers in the team. He’s got a great cross in him and he works hard for the lads, I’m really happy with him.

“We knew we had to get the three points at Firhill, we wanted to get back into winning ways.

“We rode the storm in the first half because they were on top of us. Obviously the inside of the post helped us when Conor Sammon had that shot off the woodwork but Josh’s first goal relieved the pressure.

“We played some good football in the second half. I’ve always known Firhill to be a difficult ground to play. It started off tough for us, but we improved and it ended up being one of our better performances here. I’m just happy we got the win and a clean sheet.”

Tavernier curls home his goal

Rangers secured a crucial win at Firhill

Tavernier scored only one Premiership goal last season, a far cry from the 10 he netted in the Championship the season before but he’s found his mojo in front of goal again.

He has now netted five times in the top flight in the current campaign and admits he was happy to find the net after conceding the penalty that saw his side downed by Hibs just three days earlier.

He said: “I was really happy with the goal. I was very disappointed with myself on the day against Hibs, but it’s something you have to get out of your head as soon as possible.

“I haven’t set any targets for goals this season. I’m just playing my football and first and foremost trying to defend well and keep a clean sheet.

“I also want to produce more assists, but if I also get on the scoresheet then I’m delighted.

“We knew we had to respond to the Hibs loss and although we started a little slowly we eventually took control.

“Now we’ve got to go to Ayr United in the Scottish Cup this weekend and put on another display to win.”